It’s all in the details

Generally, I prefer to be a big broad strokes kind of gal instead of getting stuck on nitty gritty details. I love larger conceptual creative ideas and then once I get into making them happen, I tend to be flexible and let some details go (I see it as a blessing that I’ve never been too much of a perfectionist). I think that’s all changed after this window seat project.

Maybe it’s the slow pace of the project or that I’m just really appreciating the nuances of details more now that I’m at home so much and fully devoted to our house. I’m trying to look at every decision, no matter how small, as an opportunity to push my creativity.

Hiring someone to build a window seat like this one would not only cost thousands of dollars (maybe $10k+?)—we highly doubt a contractor would be as diligent and particular as us. Not only do I love being able to weigh in on every single decision, but I adore getting the chance to customize something in our home that will last long after we’ve lived here.

From the swoop of the canopy to the pencil thin inner trim, I’m really digging our design decisions in this built-in. Throughout the planning process, we discussed adding scallops, waves, stencils, hand painting, and cut-outs. But then I landed on this pearl beading and thought it would look so sweet and I hadn’t seen it done much before.

Then to make the shelves feel extra personal, I had Sloane help me pick out her favorite wood craft shapes to add to either end of the bookshelves. They’re thin to begin with and then by painting them the same color as the shelves, they really recede in the best, most subtle way. When the shelves are full of books, I imagine you’ll notice them just when you’re pulling something off the shelf. And they can easily be popped off as she ages or if/when another kid moves into the space.